Sharpening device



May 22, 1945. LE ROY CRAVEN 2,376,477

SHARPENING DEVICE Filed April 29 1944 w y i 6 Q K .1 m h f I l slmsnrmenilvron "Rdy craven, (lhicagoylll. Applicatiqn-AprilZQ, 1944, SerialM53337.

My invention relates to improvementsin sharpeningdevices. *My invention"relates more particularly -to: a sharpening device of a type which isdesirable for homes and is so constructed thathousewives', or otherunskilled persons, can remove worn out sharpening mediums andreplacethemwithout the aidof special tools or any special knowledge.

The sharpening device which I have provided contemplates the use of ablock about which a fiexible material, such as emery cloth, may bestretched. and securely fastened in position.

Thus, when the same has become worn or used up it can be easily removedand replaced with a new strip, thereby providing in effect a newsharpening device.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an improvedsharpening device of the type described thatis easily and cheaplyconstructed, made of very few parts, easily assembled or disassembledand capable of providing an effective sharpening medium for ordinaryhousehold or other uses.

i A further object of my invention is to provide an improved sharpeningdevice of the type described which contemplates the use of a strip ofemery cloth securely fastened over a block so that a sharpening surfaceis provided for the ordinary sharpening that is required either in thehome or in general factor or ofiice use.

A further object of my invention is to provide a sharpening device ofthe type described, so constructed that by removing a wing nut a newsharpening strip may be placed in the device to replace an old or wornout sharpening strip.

Other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the followingdescription, reference being had to the accompanying sheet of drawingsupon which:

Fig. 1 is a side perspective view of one form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the same taken on theline 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar longitudinal sectional view of a modified form ofthe invention; and

Fig. 4 is a similar longitudinal sectional view of a further modifiedform of the invention.

In the embodiment of the invention, which I have chosen to illustrate,in Fig. 1 I have shown a generally longitudinal block I 0, which isformed with a pair of parallel cross grooves l2 and I4 and aconventionally shaped handle portion I6. I provide a strip of emerycloth l8 which may be placed about the upper surface 20 of the block Inabout the end 22, the lower surface 24 and be kbl inis. (oral-T 3 7securely fastened at its ends 26 beneath apairof clamping blocks 28 and30 whichl fits snugly withinithe grooves 12 and I4. It will be notedthat portions of the ends 26 underlie the blocks 28 and 30. The strip ofemery cloth may be securely clampedin this condition by means of a bolt32 extending through the aligned openings 34, 3B and-38 in the block l0and the blocks 28 and 3B. A wing nut 40 is provided to fasten togetherthe parts described; x i i i a From the foregoing description it will beapparent that the sharpening device as thus described is easily handledand can be used efiectively to sharpen knives, pencils or any otherobjects upon which it is desired to provide an edge by means of anabrasive treatment. In the event that the emery cloth l8 becomes wornout or used, it is easily replaceable by removing the wing nut 40, theblocks 28 and 30 and replacing the same with a fresh strip of emerycloth.

In the modification of the invention, which I have shown in Fig. 3, Ihave provided a separable handle 42 which has a wedge shaped portion 44that fits into the tongue and groove slot 46 of the block III. In thisconstruction, when it is desired to replace the emery cloth [8 thehandle is slid sideways to remove the wedge portion 44 from the slot 46and the emery cloth can then be removed. The slot 46 is slightly largerthan the wedge 44 to permit the frictional holding of the ends 26 of theemery cloth therebetween.

In the embodiment of the invention, which I have illustrated in Fig. 4,I have shown a separable handle 48 provided with rectangular extension50 which fits into a complementary slot 52 in theend of block ltl Inthis construction the ends 26 of the emery cloth l8 are turned inwardlyto fit over the extension 50 of the handle 48 and by means of the bolt32 and lock nut 40 the same is securely frictionally held between theassociated parts of the handle and the block.

From the above and foregoing description, it will be clear to thoseskilled in the art that I have provided a comparatively simpleconstruction of sharpening device wherein I utilize as an abrasive meansan ordinary strip of emery cloth fastened over a block of wood orsimilar material to provide support and rigidity to the same. Anyordinary individual can remove and replace the worn out or used emerycloth and can thus have constantly available an efficient sharpeningdevice. The same may be used for any household or general factorypurposes and may also be made in a considerably reduced scale for usebyartisans such as draftsmen, engineers, artists, etc.

a as

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of the inventionit will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications andchanges may be made in the exact details shown and I do not wish tolimit myself in any particublocks together in a manner frictionallyholding I the ends of said emery cloth against removal.

2. A sharpening device comprising a rectangularly shaped wooden blockhaving a pair of cross grooves adjacent one end, a handle portionadjacent said grooves, .a strip of emery cloth placed about the upperside, the end and the lower side of said b-lock and terminating in apair of .ends

disposed in said grooves, a pair of fiat rectangularly shaped blockscapable of being positioned'in said grooves and a, bolt and wing nutadapted to fasten said wooden block and said cross blocks together in amanner Irictionally holding the ends of said emery cloth againstremoval.

3; A sharpening device comprising a long, narrow, rectangularly shapedwooden body having a pair of cross grooves adjacent one end uponopposite faces of the same, a handle portion adjacent said grooves, astrip of emery cloth placed about said block and terminating in a, pairof ends disposed in said grooves, a pair of flat rectangularly shapedblocks capable of being positioned in said grooves and a bolt and wingnut adapted to fasten said wooden body and said cross blocks together ina manner -frictionally holding the ends of said emery cloth againstremoval.

4. A sharpening device comprising a long, narrow, rectangularly shapedwooden body having a pair .of cross grooves adjacent one end uponopposite faces of the same, a handle portion adjacent said grooves, astrip of emery cloth placed about said block and terminating in a pairof ends disposed in said grooves, a pair of fiat rectangularly shapedblockscapable of being positioned in said grooves and a bolt and wingnut adaptedto fasten said wooden body and;-saidross blocks together .ina manner frictionally holding the ,endsof said emery clot-h againstremoval, said bolt adapted to pass through aligned openings in saidblocks and said body.

- .LE ROY CRAVEN.

